Lynx: Wow I think that was a tough Christmas for all of us DX

Legolas: (sigh) Christmas is not something us elves have.

Lynx: You're not missing much… Christmas is exciting sure, but it's been too commercialized. Most people like it because they get stuff, new shiny, pretty stuff. There are few who like it because it is a time to spend with your family, whether you are religious or not you celebrate the birth of Christ.

Haldir: (getting lost)

Lynx: Anywayyy… reviews! I answered them privately this time because I don't wanna get in trouble by the admin people for replying in my fic. Although Altariel Elf brought up a very good point in her review. She said "Wouldn't Legolas also notice the things Anaro did? I mean with his trained eyes and all." Good point! I will answer that here!

The only reasons Anaro noticed these things (the way she walked, the way she talked, and how she acted when no one was around) is because he was looking hard enough. He is so desperate to ground Valandil into the dust that he is constantly searching for something to slip; constantly searching for something that he could apprehend him upon. Legolas did not notice these things, perhaps, because he might be a tad too trusting sometimes. I've read that because of this he gets into a lot of trouble in other fanfics, lol. But he is not looking for something to destroy Valandil with. All he really cares about at the moment is the war and helping Valandil convince his father to stop it. That is why, even with his incredible and trained eyes, he doesn't notice these things.

Lynx: That should clear it up.

Legolas: Now just write the chapter!

Haldir: Tsk tsk, impatience.

Lynx: Hee hee, you two guys should check out some of the fanfics… some of the things you do to each other… HAHAHA

Laure: If you ask me that sounded dirty.

Legolas: (looks repulsed) What do you mean by that!

Haldir: … you don't mean… noooo… you wouldn't say such things to us, I know you wouldn't.

Lynx: (sweat drop) He's guilt tripping me again…

The entire capital of Elvirin was in panic; they had been so since the moment they discovered their precious tauren princess was missing…

Amros paced his study anxiously, his fists clenching and unclenching. This had something to do with the elves… he knew this much.

The door suddenly opened, but Amros did not look up as his eldest child came into the room.

Valandil smiled softly, though his eyes reflected the same exhaustion and worry as his father's.

"Did you search the forests as I requested?" Amros looked at his son briefly before closing his eyes; the look on Valandil's face already provided him with his answer.

"Indeed I did…" Valandil let out a long sigh, worry etched into every crease on his handsome face. "We looked everywhere but the rain destroyed any tracks or traces that would have been there."

Amros echoed his son's sigh, sinking into the chair at his desk.

"There is no other explanation…" Amros whispered, his voice muffled as he held his face with his hands, "The elves must have taken her when we were not looking… she will most likely be used as a device for war."

Valandil stood silently, not really sure of what to say. Crossing his arms over his chest he gave a slight frown.

"I still don't understand why they would take my armour and my sword…"

Amros shrugged slightly, "I have not a clue about anything right now, my son. Perhaps they think they can relinquish our courage by taking away the Prince of War's elements. They see your sword and armour as a status symbol, without it, they believe they can take away the threat you impose on them."

Valandil frowned again; he hated that title and he hated what he had become. All he wanted to do was settle down with his lover and start a family. One day the duty of King would be in his hands and he would have to take on all his father's responsibilities. He would also have to make sure he produced heirs for their realm. Sighing, he turned to leave, "I am going to go make another round about the forest. Perhaps we will be able to find something."

Amros waved him off, heaving another sigh. His thoughts began to overrun his mind the moment the door closed behind his son. How could this happen? His beloved daughter deserved nothing that the elves were sure to give her. He began to feel as if it was his fault. Maybe if he was not so dedicated to this war it would not still be existent and Laure would not have been taken. The two did not leave off on the greatest of terms either...

Valandil was thinking along the same lines as he strode down the sunlit halls of granite and marble. He also did not understand how his horse could have run away the exact same night as his youngest sister was taken. Maybe the elves had taken him too; what an odd bunch of…

A sudden thought occurred in his mind, an impossible thought. He knew of how much Laure despised this war; he knew of how she worried herself sick every time his father and himself went to battle. Perhaps Laure was crazy enough to go attempt stopping the war herself… that explained on some levels his missing belongings and how Lhunor disappeared also. He would not share this thought with anyone, they were distraught enough especially his father. It was an improbable idea anyway; Laure was not that desperate… was she?

Anaro slept at his desk, his head in his arms. He had fallen asleep late the last night, too annoyed to even think about going to bed. He let out a heavy gust of oxygen, sub-consciously shifting his position in the hard chair.

The door suddenly slammed open, startling Anaro from the world of oblivion. He jumped to his feet, about to turn around and yell at the offender.

"Sir! I've done it!" Renwe's voice sounded excited and triumphant.

"What are you talking about?" Anaro grumbled, dusting his clothes off and smoothing his hair before turning to face his right hand man. An irritated look settled itself onto his sharp features, making Renwe slightly uncomfortable.

"I beg your pardon, sir." Renwe bowed his head slightly, "But Valandil is sure to be ruined once I give this small piece of information."

"Out with it already!" Anaro nearly shouted.

"This person is not Valandil!" Renwe shot quickly, taking a step back. "It's a woman! A tauren female disguised as Valandil!"

Anaro stared at him for a moment, almost as if he though Renwe was merely jesting with him. "You are certain?"

"Yes!" Renwe nodded quickly. "It was definitely a woman! Men do not have curves like that…"

Anaro gave Renwe a disgusted look before he grabbed his silken silver cloak, fastening it onto his broad shoulders. Freeing his silver hair from underneath it, he left the room hastily with Renwe at his heels.

The sun glared down onto her face from the balcony window, prompting her to wake.

Laure sighed and rolled over, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Yawning, she threw the covers off of her warm body and got up, stretching. Sniffing slightly, she reached and grabbed her brother's armour before she pulled it onto her torso, tightening the straps at the sides. She then fastened on her black cloak over her shoulders before sitting down and tackling Valandil's boots onto her feet. Silently she wondered how her family was fairing; they most likely discovered her disappearance a few hours after she left. Sighing again, she stood and slipped on Valandil's armlets.

There was a loud knock at the door, almost impatient.

"Who is it?" Laure asked, masking her voice.

"It's Captain Anaro." The call returned.

"I'm coming…" Laure drew in a deep breath, placing her brother's silver circlet on her head before she turned the doorknob.

The door opened, revealing Anaro with four other elves behind him.

"What is it?" Laure gave him a confused look.

"Prince Valandil," Anaro's lips broke out into a smug grin, "You are under arrest."

Baffled, Laure took a step back. "Why? What is going on?"

Two elves stepped forward to grab her arms, but the moment they even touched her, Laure lashed out. She did not like it much when strangers touched her...

"Don't you dare touch me!" Laure growled defensively, sending her fist into the face of the elf to her right and kneeing the other in the stomach.

Anaro's grin was even wider if possible, his eyebrows arching in a challenge. He signaled to the two elves behind him, stepping back slightly.

The first elf through the door gave Laure a quick uppercut, causing her to stumble back. The first two recollected themselves, one with a cut on his forehead and the other with one arm slung across his middle; she was quite strong for a female.

Anaro watched delightedly as another elf grabbed Laure's arm and twisted it behind her back. She gave a shriek of pain and fury before lifting her foot and kicking another approaching elf in the face. The elf angrily returned the favour and punched her in the abdomen; swearing creatively as the metal of her armour served to badly bruise his knuckles.

Laure gasped and doubled over as far as possible, her free arm instantly bracing her middle. The elf behind her pushed her to the floor, placing his foot on her back so she could not get up.

Laure lay still, breathing hard and grimacing as Anaro stepped forward. He knelt down and proceeded to tie her hands behind her back with a strip of heavy rope.

Two elves stepped forward, grasping her elbows and wrenching her onto her feet.

"We are to take you before the King. He will decide your fate." Anaro began to lead the company from the room. "You put up quite a fight."

Laure merely snorted in response as they proceeded to lead her out of the room, their grips firm on her elbows and shoulders. The other two elves simply walked behind them, ready if she should attempt to escape from them.

She noticed one of the elves was carrying her pack from her drawers and Valandil's treasured weapon: his mighty sword.

What was to be her and the war's fate?

King Thranduil looked up when the throne room doors opened, he shifted in his seat and sat properly from where he was leaning over and speaking quietly with his son.

Legolas followed his father's example and sat back in his chair, watching with interest as the six figures approached.

"It's Captain Anaro, my lord." Lolindir leaned over and whispered in Thranduil's ear.

Anaro approached along the long stretch of narrow green carpet, four elves following closely behind, and two holding a captive.

Legolas' eyebrows shot up when he recognized the person whom they roughly pulled along.

Why was Valandil being apprehended?

"Your majesty…" Anaro stopped ten feet away from his royal majesty and got down onto one knee, bowing his head in respect.

"Anaro." Thranduil nodded his head, "Stand and tell me why you have apprehended Prince Valandil."

Anaro pulled himself back onto both feet and cleared his throat.

Legolas frowned, noticing the tiny stream of blood that dripped from the corner of Laure's mouth. She had her head hung in despair, her jade eyes hidden from his view.

"This, your highness, is not Prince Valandil." Anaro announced with a hint of pride in his voice.

Laure quickly looked up when he said this. How did they know? She dropped her head again, sighing silently.

Thranduil gave a stern look at Anaro, "And how did you discover such a feat? And where is the proof?"

Anaro grinned slightly at this as he turned and stood in front of Laure, drawing his dagger from his sheath. Laure looked at him before standing up tall and solidly with no expression on her face, not even towards the threatening weapon.

Legolas sat forward on his seat slightly, narrowing his cobalt eyes in mild perplexity.

Thranduil raised a single eyebrow as he watched Anaro draw his weapon, no expression appearing on his face at all.

Anaro reached forward and almost carelessly sliced the buckles on Laure's side that held her armour on. He pulled it off her torso and tossed it to the ground a few feet away. Laure gritted her teeth at how disrespectfully he treated her brother's armour. The thought left her mind completely when Anaro sliced open the silver undershirt in one smooth motion, revealing her bare skin and the bandages wound tightly around her chest.

At this time Legolas could barely hold back a gasp of bafflement; his father merely frowning. What in Elbereth's name...!

Anaro stepped aside, allowing the king and prince a view towards the impostor.

"This is no prince, it is a female." Anaro spoke, his voice ringing throughout the entire room.

"To think," Thranduil scowled, addressing Laure now, "I was about to agree on an alliance with an impostor and a liar."

"You would not have listened had it been anyone else but my brother." Laure said, the taste of her blood from her cut lip reaching her tongue.

"So you are a princess of Rhûn?" Thranduil replied nonchalantly, "Which one?"

"The youngest." Laure said as impassively as she could manage, uncomfortable in only bandages before so many males, "I am Princess Laure of Elvirin."

"You are right at least in one aspect." Thranduil sat back in his chair, his scowl still very prominent, "I would not have listened to a woman on the matters of war, especially not one that commits such treason to her own country on a whim."

Laure snarled at this, "This war has long overstayed its welcome. The end must be put to it!"

"A woman has no opinion in such matters." Thranduil spat back. "What could you possibly know about politics and warfare? Toss her into the dungeons, I will think of what to do with her later."

"You are not the king I thought you were!" Laure shouted over her shoulder as once again the group of elves proceeded to drag her from the room. "You condemn yours and my people to death without a second thought! You are nothing but a coward! How dare you call yourself King!"

"Father!" Legolas turned to Thranduil, his voice loud with protest, "Is this necessary?"

"You are young, Legolas," Thranduil did not do so much as to spare his son a glance, "You have much to learn about politics yet."

"At least I possess empathy." Legolas said through his teeth, "She wanted nothing but to save her people. Admit it; you thought unification between the warring regions was a good idea. It would have stopped need for further casualties among the population, it would have brought peace!"

"Silence!" Thranduil spinning quickly to look at Legolas, rage flashing in his silvery-grey eyes, "I will not have accusations and doubts from my own son! This is the way it will be and you will not question me further! Understand?"

Legolas shot up from his seat; "You care about nothing but your pride and reputation! You will not accept the proposition because you were fooled by her! In your eyes your image has been dampened and you will put your own people to death because of this!"

With that, Legolas stormed away, his golden hair flying out behind him as he walked quickly down the same path Anaro had taken to leave.

"Legolas!" Thranduil stood from his seat, enraged.

"My lord, let him go." Lolindir placed his hand on Thranduil's arm. "Sit down and calm yourself."

Thranduil sighed and sat down, brushing stray locks of blond from his face. "He reminds me much of his mother… he certainly has her temper and flare."

"Did he?" Lolindir looked slightly surprised, chuckling despite the tension that was still very noticeable, "In that moment he actually reminded me a lot of you."

Laure stood still as Anaro untied her hands; "You are brave to stick up for yourself as such."

"A child has that kind of bravery." Laure retorted curtly.

Anaro chuckled as he pushed her into the cell of the seemingly uninhabited dungeon and closed the door.

Laure sighed as he left, laughing to himself. She looked down at the replacement shirt she had been given, tattered and dusty. Hers and Valandil's things hung off a rack just across the way, if only she could reach.

She stuck her arm through the iron bars and reached for her items; they were much too far for her to be able to seize them.

"You'll never reach them," a silky voice snickered softly, "There is no point."

Laure turned her head and searched for the source of the voice. She spotted a figure half hidden in the shadows, sitting in the cell next to her separated merely by more iron bars. His clothes were tattered and wrinkly; his dark hair was matted suggesting he had been there a while. He sat forward slightly, the shadow falling off his face and revealing dark brown eyes that glinted with an almost crimson light.

Laure brought her arm back into her cell, staring at him suspiciously. "Who are you?"

"My name is Caresir," he replied smugly, his voice just soft enough for her to hear, "It's nice to finally have some company down here. What is your name?"

"Laure." Her ears flattened against her head slightly as she went to sit on the small bench. "How long have you been here?"

Caresir shrugged slightly, his eyes glinting, "Maybe nine months or more, lost count after five weeks."

"Pity…" Laure responded with a sad smile, lazily tracing a finger over the armlets on her forearms. "What did you do?"

There was a pause before Caresir decided to answer, "I took someone's life." He left it there, short and simple. "And what did a pretty thing like you do to wind up in here? Besides being a tauren that is. In this place that means automatic apprehension… unless of course you are of high status…"

"I stole someone's identity and stuck my nose in business that wasn't mine to stick my nose in." Laure replied with a long sigh. "Do you think they will kill me?"

"Depends on who you are…" Caresir shrugged again, his voice low and smooth, "I'll tell you a secret though."

Laure looked at him expectantly, silently waiting for him to continue.

Caresir leaned towards her, his forehead resting against a cold bar. "The guard told me yesterday that I am to be executed in a week. If I was of royalty I would not have been in here so long, they would have taken my status and banished me from the kingdom. I suppose that is better than getting the blade, no?"

"I am a princess and they cannot banish someone who does not come from their own region." Laure scoffed matter-of-factly.

"A princess of Rhûn, hmmm?" A ghost of a smile flashed across his face before it melted away again, "Well, I imagine that they will use you in the war to lower the morale of their enemies."

Laure spared him a stern glance before her eyes found their way back to her armlets.

"I will be out of here before that, you can count on it."

Lynx: (sigh) I hope you guys like it, I worked pretty hard on that.

Legolas: (bites his nails) I would never get mad at my father like that, he would have my head.

Lynx: Well in this story, you do get mat at your father like that, whether he is to have your head or not.

Laure: X3 I kick ass!

Haldir: Yeah! Then have your ass kicked hahah!

Laure: (glares)

Haldir: (backs off)

Lynx: Review please!